In today’s procurement and supply chain landscape, the pressure to balance commercial value with environmental impact has never been more intense. From ESG reporting requirements and net zero targets to consumer scrutiny and ethical sourcing demands, aligning procurement with sustainability isn’t just “nice to have”, it’s business critical.

Sustainability and Procurement

Sustainable procurement is no longer confined to carbon offsetting or reducing plastic usage. It's about reimagining the entire procurement strategy, embedding circular economy principles, selecting sustainable suppliers, improving supplier diversity, and ensuring full traceability and ethical sourcing across global supply chains.

This evolution in procurement roles is driving the need for professionals who are commercially astute and sustainability-savvy. From Category Managers and Procurement Analysts to Heads of Supply Chain and Directors of Procurement, the best professionals now come equipped with ESG knowledge and a passion for purpose-driven procurement.

What this means for employers

As ESG expectations rise, the demand for green supply chain professionals and sustainable procurement experts is at an all-time high. We're actively working with clients across FMCG, manufacturing, retail, and logistics who are rethinking their recruitment strategies to attract talent with both sustainability credentials and procurement excellence.

We’re helping hiring managers ask the right questions:

• Does your future Procurement Manager understand Scope 3 emissions?
• Can your new Supply Chain Director build resilient, ethical supplier networks?
• Is your procurement function ready for the CSRD and other regulatory shifts?

Aligning procurement and sustainability begins with hiring people who live and breathe both.

For candidates: your Sustainability expertise is a career accelerator

If you're a procurement professional with experience in ethical sourcing, supplier sustainability audits, or net zero procurement strategies, now is the time to showcase it. Businesses are investing heavily in sustainable supply chains, and your skills are not just relevant, they’re essential.

Roles such as Sustainable Procurement Manager, ESG Category Lead, and Responsible Sourcing Specialist are growing fast, and candidates who can demonstrate measurable impact in these areas are commanding strong salaries and fast-tracked progression.

Sustainability isn’t a system, it’s a mindset. And that mindset needs to live within your procurement and supply chain teams. Whether you're hiring your next Head of Procurement or looking for a step up into a sustainability-focused procurement role, now is the time to act.

At Procurement People, we specialise in connecting future-forward businesses with procurement professionals who can deliver on sustainability goals without compromising commercial performance.

Looking to align your procurement team with your ESG goals? Get in touch with our specialist recruiter Will at will.terry@procurement-people.com or call on UK - 0121 450 5000 I US - +1 (512) 410 5231